Fire-escape



(M Model.) I

W. F. KIENTOFP & P. BERTEMES.

. FIRE ESCAPE. No. 291,060. I Patented Jan. 1,1884.

fave/722T.

UNIT D STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

sPEcIF1cATIoN formingpart of Letters Patent No. 291,060, dated January 1, 1884.-

- Application filed February 19, 1883. (No model.)

' Fire-Escapes, of which the following is a speciby a pivot, c.

fication, to wit:

This invention relates to improvements in fire-escapes; and it consists in the construction and arrangement of parts, substantially as will be hereinafter more fully described.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to which our invention appertains to make and use the same, we will now proceed to describe its construction and operation, referring to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 isa perspective view of our invention, andFigs. 2,3, and4 are details of the same.

A represents the main frame, the side bars of which are formed in two parts, the inner ones, a, being providedwith a stud or bolt, a, which passes through a slot, b, in the other piece, I), and this stud is also provided with a plate, a which is corrugated upon its inner side to engage with corrugations b on the adjacent face of the part b of the frame. The pieces may thus be adjusted to fit any thickness of wall or window-casing, and secured wherever desired by means of a nut, a

To the inner ends of the main frame A are pivoted two arms, B B, each having on one end an angular claw, B. The-other ends of these pieces overlap each other between the side bars of the frame, and are here secured One of these parts is also provided with a spring-catch, c, which engages with ahole in the other arm and secures the two in place. One of the arms B is also provided with a slide, 0, adapted to fit over the overlapping end of the other arm and prevent any accidental displacement after being adjusted. The outer ends of the frame A are turned up at an angle and provided with a reel, D, having handles d d upon each end. This reel D is, upon one end, provided with a forked or slotted lever E formed with a small projection, 6, on one side, adapted to bear upon the main frame, and when pressure is applied to the lever the outer or slotted end bears against the journal of the reel and forms a frictionbrake, as seen in Fig. 4.

Upon the reel D is wound a rope or wire ladder, G, the lower end of which is supplied with a receptacle, G, of canvas or other suitable material, for a purpose to be presently seen.

The device may be adjusted to suit any window, and when wanted for use the springcatch is disengaged and the arms B are pushed inward in the center until they assume the position shown by Fig. 2, when the frame is passed through the window until the adj ustable legs or feet H rest upon the outer ledge, and the arms B B being then straightened, their ends are forced into the window-frame and securely held by the catch a, and the slide 0 being then pushed into place prevents any accidental displacement. Children and persons not capable of descending a swaying ladder are then placed in the receptacle G and lowered to the ground, the speed being controlled by pressure upon the lever E, the projection e of which acts as a fulcrum. If more children remain, the ladder may be raised by means of the handles d of the reel, and, if not needed for use in this manner, any persons remaining above may descend by means of the ladder.

It will be seen that the frame holds the ladder far enough from the wall to allow of descent upon the inside of the ladder, which enables the person to readily catch the rounds with his feet, while ladders which are used from the other side are frequently pushed against the wall, and thus it is rendered very difficult to obtain a foothold.

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1.. In a fire-escape, the combination, with the main frame, of a crossbar for engagement with the inside of a window-frame, made in two parts, hinged together, and provided with means for locking them in position, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In afire-escape, the frame A, in combination with the arms B B, hinged together, and provided with the spring-catch c and slide 0,

whereby the arms may be thrown out of line with. each other or secured firmly in their proper position, substantially as shown and described.

3. In afire-escape,the side bars, made in two ICO parts, one of which is slotted and formed with a series ot'corrugations, and the other provided with a belt or stud, a corrugated plate, and a set-nut. substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4:. A fire-escape consisting, essentially, of

the frame A, having extension side bars, substantially as herein described, the hinged arms B B, secured by a spring-catch, 0, adjustable supports H, reel D, having'a ladder, G, and receptacle G, and the lever E, adapted to act as a brake, all combined, constructed, and arranged to operate substantially as described and shown.

In testimony whereof \veaffix our signatures 15 in presence of two witnesses.

\VILLIAM F. KIENTOFF. PHILIP]? BERTEMES.

\Vitnesses:

.T. E. S'rnvnxsox, FRANK JOHNSON. 

